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Whirlpool Model UXT5530AAS Range Hood Review
For those of you who have been following along you know that we purchased a KitchenAid dual fuel, twin oven, range.
A gas range requires very good ventilation, a lot more than you need for an electric range. We did our homework and found out that there is a quick formula for determining the size of the range hood for a gas range:
For gas cooking surfaces or range, a minimum ventilation level of 100 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) per 10,000 BTU is recommended.
Our KitchenAid range has 5 burners; 17,000, 10,000, 7,300, two 5,000 for a total of 44,300, which would mean we should have at least a 443 CFM range hood. We chose to install the Whirlpool model UXT5530AAS range hood which is only rated at a maximum of 400 CFM. Our reasoning for choosing a smaller unit was that with the layout of the burners it would almost be impossible to be using them all at the same time. As well, realistically we would never have all the burners on high at the same time.
However, if I could have purchased the same style and size range hood with 500 CFM I probably would have.
The range hood has double filters on each side which ensures that grease is captured before it travels through the vent pipe system. It has 3 speeds and we generally use the lowest speed (its only when I there is something in the oven that is causing smoke and I open the oven door do I use the high speed to exhaust the smoke from the kitchen). The fan is not silent but I don't find it annoying when it is on and I am cooking.
I liked the overall style of the range hood because it allowed for a 15" x 30" cabinet above it and in a small kitchen you need all the storage space you can get.
The only negative is that it uses two halogen lights in the range hood that do generate some heat, but we are lucky that our kitchen is well lit and I only use the range hood lights on rare occasions.
We would recommend the Whirlpool UXT5530AAS range hood.